Improved velocipede



T. R. PIGKERING.

VIILOCIPEUB.v

Patented Mar. 30, 186.9.

'hereinafter set forth, obtained.`

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`Tnet/rasin. Monsalud-or NEW YORK, N. Y.

Leners Pazemlvo.v 88,507, dazed March 3o, 1869.

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Th to in the Letters Patent `and maldng part of the lame.

,To all whom it 'ma/y concern:

v 4Beit knownthat I, THOMAS R.. PIoKERING, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a .carries the front wheel; and

Figure 3, a longitudinal sectionthrough the reachl and rear axle. A v

` Figure 4 is a transverse sect-ion through one of the stirrups.

lSimilar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

.My invention consists in a Vpeculiar tubular construction ofthe reach, or back-bone of the velocipede,

with socket-attachment, whereby, while lightness and strength are secured, top-heaviness is avoided, and expense of construction reduced.

Also, the invention includes a hollow construction of the fork which carries the front wheel, whereby, while like advantages are obtained, said fork is made i to form oil-boxes for lubricating the running-axle.

And furthermore, the invention consists in `a polygonal-shaped stirrup, hung to `freely turn on the wrist-pin of the clank which'earries it, whereby much inconvenience is avoided, and certain advantages, as

Y Referring to the accompanying drawing- A and A A represent the reach, or back-bone of a two-wheel velocipedi).` This reach I construct of a main tube, A, and two smaller tubes, A A', arranged, in

relation to the main tube?, as represented inig. 3, and welded or united to the latter with plugs, fitted and welded into the adjacent ends of the several tubes,

, wbiclrlatter may all be made of'wrought-iron, or gas,

or steam-pipe.

The main tube, A, carries, or has secured to it at its front, a socket, B, preferably made of brass or gunmetal, in which the fo'rk C turns; and the lesser tubes, A' A', have pressed or fitted on to their back ends,

socketsD D, for support of the rear axle E, which isf' stationary.

. By constructing the reach as described, there are secured great simplicity, chcapness, and strength, with- .Outthat top-heaviness which is so objectionable, and

u' adds tothe diiiculty'of managing or steadying thc velocipede." Virtually, said reach, constructed to receive the rear wheel through it, is as strong as, or stronger than if, together vwith its front and rear at- 'tachmentsor sockets, it were forged in one piece, while it may be made-at muc-h less expense, and lighter.

The fork O, which 'turns by a king-bolt extension of it at its top, in thesocket B, is also made up of two tubes, the lowerends of which have socket-bearers, a a, for the front axle F, that turns loose in-said sockets or bearers.`

Such construction of the fork also contributes to the light yet strong character of the velocipede, and avoidance of top-heaviness. Also, said fork, which, at its lower ends,is left open, or perforated, is made to form oil-boxes, b b, in which cotton, or any suitable ocoulent substance, saturated with oil, introduced through holes in the sides of the tubes, may be inserted, for lubricating the front running-axle, F. This front axle, which has firmly secured to it the driving and steering, or main wheel G, carries the usual cranks, c c, the wrist-pins, d, of which may be adjusted, or set to occupy different distances from the centre of the axle, as circumstances require, by fitting said wristl-piushl any of a series of holes made inthe cranks.

On these wrist-pins are freely fitted, as,` usual, so as to be capable of turning horizontally', the stirrups, against or on which the feet of the rideru'est in. working the vehicle.

lIt is very desirable, in order to obtain a ator broad bearing-surface for the fe t, that the stirrups' should be hung as described, so that the wrist-pins 'may rotate within them, and thus give'a self-adj usting character-` and freedom to the stirrups; -Said stirrups have had weights suspended or attached tothem below, for the purpose of keeping their tread uppermost, though this, in rapid running, on temporarily removing either foot, as occasionally is necessary, often fails to be secured by such means, and the stirrups,with their weights,

revolve on the wrist-pins, thereby rendering it diic'ult for the rider to immediately strike" thc dat of the stirrup, ou reapplyiug his foot thereto, and sometimes.

subjecting ,his foot to be hit by the turning or swinging weight of the stirrup.

This I obviate by construct-ingy the stirrups H of polygonal forml 'in their transverse section, so as to present three or more treads, whereby, no matter whatl Vmotion the stirrup acquires on removing the foot, the latter will always finden immediate bearing,.or rest, even though it mayirst come in contact with an edge, or angle, and the stirrup be readily adj usted by the pressure of the foot to its proper position, without risk of hurt, or injury to the rider.

' The rear axle E, which is held stationarv by screws,

or otherwise, is made hollow, with plugs or screws to closeits ends, and to admit of introducing oil and cotton within it, for the purpose of lubricating, through or-by means of perlbrations, s, made in said axle, the nave of the rear wheel I, as it rotates on the axle.

The saddle e, saddle-.beam fsupportingspring g, to the latter, andst'eering-handle h, are or may be of the construction found in other velocipedes.

What is .here claimedand desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

l. The reach, or bach-bono, constructed of a central,

f .composed f tubes, constrlictedto form "oil-bxes, bib,

or main tube A, and lateral rear tubes A A', arranged :f a, for the support of" the running-axle,:essentially as snbstnntiaily :is describeih'andwelded Aor united sto-f specified. f` "j y i K gather, -in"`enibin:iti0n with thel socket B 'at' the fclr- 4".y The stir'rnps H made of -p9lygona1slmpe in their ward end ofthe reach', essentially :1s specified. v 'transverse section, amd hung to freely tui-'n on the wrist- 2. The combination of the sockets B l:ind D D with pins of thecmnks which carry them; substantially as the reach, constructed of tubes A A' A', arranged ,as described; described. A v THOS. 1t. PI,-OKEVRING.`

3.1m combination with the scket B, the fork 6 Witnesses; i j ,l

' f-"FRnn HAY'Nl-is', at their base, and provided with sockets, orbearers a;l A J. W. OoMBs. 

